Method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery. The battery (1) comprises a plurality of battery modules (20), a master-BMS unit (10) and, for each battery module (20), a slave-BMS unit (30). The master-BMS unit (10) and the slave-BMS unit (30) each comprise a radio transceiver. The master-BMS unit (10) is designed to an installation position of a selected slave-BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) depending on a first matrix data record and a first number of provided first reference matrix data records. The first matrix data record comprises, for a plurality of frequencies or a plurality of specified frequency channels of a specified frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values for wireless signal transmission between the selected slave-BMS unit (30_m) and the master-BMS unit (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a master battery management system (BMS) unit, a battery, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0004] Battery manufacturers in the electric vehicle sector strive to achieve the highest possible energy density in their batteries, especially traction batteries, to enable maximum range for customer vehicles. As energy density increases, so does the importance of battery management systems for monitoring, balancing, and hazard prevention associated with overvoltage and overtemperature.

[0005] The traction batteries of electric vehicles currently provide nominal voltages between 400V and 800V. The batteries are typically organized into battery modules, i.e., groups of cells monitored and controlled by dedicated battery management circuits (BMICs). Typically, such a battery management circuit can currently monitor 16 to 24 cells connected in series.

[0006] One of the main tasks of a battery management circuit is the periodic measurement of cell voltages, temperatures, and other parameters, which are transmitted to a central control unit of the battery management system. The central control unit determines, among other things, the battery's state of charge (SOC) and / or state of health (SoH). In the context of the battery management system, the battery management circuits are relevant for functional safety.

[0007] Since system costs and flexibility in battery configuration are high priorities for manufacturers, systems are increasingly being developed that transmit safety-relevant battery data wirelessly. Wireless data transfer can achieve significant savings in cabling, connectors, and, in particular, in the galvanic isolation of components.

[0008] During battery manufacturing, the battery modules and battery management circuits are assembled in predefined production steps, thus determining their assignment. A battery control unit, based on lists, knows the position of each battery module in a battery pack and the MAC address of the associated battery management circuit. This positioning process is complex. Determining the installation position of a defective battery module is particularly time-consuming when it comes to replacing a defective battery module.

[0009] A problem to be solved is therefore to provide a method that enables an automated and reliable determination of an installation position of a battery module in a battery.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0011] According to a first aspect and a second aspect, the object is achieved by a method and a corresponding master battery management system unit (master BMS unit) for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery, in particular in a traction battery of an electrically driven vehicle.

[0012] The battery comprises a plurality of battery modules connected in series and / or parallel, and a battery management system (BMS) comprising a master BMS unit and a slave BMS unit for each battery module. The master BMS unit and the slave BMS units each comprise a radio transceiver, i.e. a radio transmitter unit and a radio receiver unit. The radio transceiver uses, for example, radio technology according to the Bluetooth standard or a modified form thereof. Alternatively, another radio technology that is particularly suitable for short distances can also be used. These radio technologies operate in particular according to the standards IEEE 802.15.1 to IEEE 802.15.7. The battery modules each comprise a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel. The battery modules in the battery are each arranged at predetermined installation positions.The slave BMS units are each arranged on one of the battery modules or on a section of a battery mounting frame that is adjacent to the respective battery module.

[0013] The master BMS unit and the slave BMS units form a battery management system (BMS). The master BMS unit and the slave BMS units each form nodes of a radio communication network, specifically a piconet.

[0014] To determine the installation position, especially the physical installation position, a wireless connection is first established between a selected slave BMS unit and the master BMS unit.

[0015] The master BMS unit determines a first matrix data set. The first matrix data set comprises, for a first plurality of frequencies or a first plurality of predefined frequency channels of a predefined first frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a selected slave BMS unit and the master BMS unit for the established wireless connection. In particular, the signals transmitted by the selected slave BMS unit are evaluated. The signal transmission quality parameter values ​​are stored, assigned to the frequencies or frequency channels for which they are determined. The first matrix data set thus represents one or more frequency responses for the wireless signal transmission between a selected slave BMS unit and the master BMS unit.

[0016] The carrier frequency channels are determined in particular by the selected radio standard.

[0017] The master BMS unit determines an installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery based on the first matrix data set and a first set of provided first reference matrix data sets. The first set of provided reference matrix data sets each includes a first reference matrix data set for at least some of the slave BMS units, and the respective first reference matrix data set includes one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a respective slave BMS unit and a master BMS unit for a second plurality of frequencies or a second plurality of predefined frequency channels of a predefined further frequency band.

[0018] Alternatively, the master BMS unit sends the first matrix data set in conjunction with an instruction to a higher-level processing unit, causing the higher-level processing unit to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery depending on the first matrix data set and a first set of provided first reference matrix data sets, wherein the first set of provided reference matrix data sets for at least some of the slave BMS units each has a first reference matrix data set and the respective first reference matrix data set for a second plurality of frequencies or a second plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined second frequency band comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a respective slave BMS unit and a master BMS unit of a reference battery.

[0019] The BMS can also have the higher-level processing unit. Alternatively, the higher-level processing unit can be assigned to the BMS.

[0020] Preferably, the first predefined frequency band and the predefined second frequency band coincide at least in sections. In an advantageous embodiment, the frequencies or frequency channels for which the signal transmission quality parameter values ​​of the first matrix data set and the first reference matrix data sets are determined are the same or at least largely the same.

[0021] The reference battery preferably has the same structure as the battery. The slave BMS units and the master BMS unit of the reference battery are arranged in the same installation positions and are identical or very similar in design to the slave BMS units and the master BMS unit of the battery, so that they have the same or at least very similar transmission characteristics to the slave BMS units and the master BMS unit of the battery. Using the method described above, if a battery module is defective, its installation position in the battery can be automatically determined very reliably, thereby significantly simplifying replacement.Furthermore, the method described above can be used, for example, in the event of a repair after integrating a new slave BMS unit into the BMS communication network to perform position detection and compare it with the “old” installation position stored in the master BMS unit for configuration verification.

[0022] Due to the special installation situations of the battery modules, the wireless connections between the master BMS unit and the respective slave BMS units have a very characteristic course, a unique fingerprint, so to speak, depending on the installation position of the respective slave BMS unit.

[0023] This unique fingerprint can be used to determine the physical installation position of the respective slave BMS unit.

[0024] The assumption here is that matrix data sets that match well are highly likely to be assigned to the same installation position.

[0025] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, determining the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery, depending on the first matrix data set and the first set of provided first reference matrix data sets, comprises determining a similarity measure and / or a distance measure for the first matrix data set with respect to the respective first reference matrix data set. This enables simple computational operations to be used to determine which reference matrix data set matches the first matrix data set or is most similar to it.

[0026] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery is determined using a pattern correlation algorithm. Such algorithms are also referred to as "pattern matching," in which correlation filters or correlation functions are used for feature extraction. In the present case, a check is carried out to determine which reference matrix data set, which essentially represents a reference frequency response, has the same specific patterns as the first matrix data set, which represents the frequency response for the selected slave BMS unit.

[0027] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery is determined depending on the first matrix data set and the first set of provided first reference matrix data sets by feeding the first matrix data set to a trained neural network, wherein the trained neural network has undergone a learning process in which the first reference matrix data sets were fed to the neural network as input in order to evaluate, on the basis of a matrix data set which comprises, for a plurality of frequencies or a plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between one of the slave BMS units and the master BMS unit and which is characteristic of an installation position of the one slave BMS unit,at which installation position the slave BMS unit is located.

[0028] Preferably, the neural network uses a supervised learning algorithm that learns the first reference matrix data set based on examples, i.e., adapts its model to later apply this model to a new input, the first matrix data set. The neural network model is trained to assign the first matrix data set, which serves as input, to a category, i.e., an installation position.

[0029] The neural network is designed, for example, as a deep learning (DL) neural network or convoluted neural network (CNN).

[0030] For calculations, the master BMS units can include microcontrollers or microprocessors with additional vector processing modules. These vector processing modules are designed to perform complex calculations, such as fast Fourier transforms or KL models. This allows the calculations to be performed by the master BMS units, where the actual data acquisition takes place.

[0031] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, the signal transmission quality parameter values ​​determined for a respective frequency or frequency channel differ in that they are calculated for signals transmitted at different transmission powers. Varying the transmission power enables an "amplification" and / or improved quality of the characteristics of the respective matrix data set.

[0032] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, the signal transmission quality parameter value(s) determined for a respective frequency channel each comprise a received field strength indicator value, RSSI value. This enables simple determination of the first matrix data sets, since commercially available radio modules have units configured to determine RSSI values ​​(Received Signal Strength Indicator values).

[0033] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, the RSSI values ​​determined for a respective frequency channel differ in that, when calculating the RSSI values, the RSSI values ​​for the respective frequency channel are determined for multiple points in time, and the RSSI value used is an average of the RSSI values ​​determined at the different points in time. Varying the calculation enables an "amplification" and / or improved quality of the characteristics of the respective matrix data set. The duration within which the RSSI values ​​are determined at different points in time can also be varied.

[0034] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, a portion of the battery modules has a coating that effects a modified reflection of the signals, and / or absorption material is arranged at predetermined positions in the battery. This enables an "amplification" and / or improved quality of the characteristics of the respective matrix data set.

[0035] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, at least one second matrix data set is provided, which comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between the selected slave BMS unit and an auxiliary master BMS unit for a third plurality of frequencies or a third plurality of predefined frequency channels of a predefined third frequency band. The installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery is additionally determined depending on the second matrix data set and a second set of provided, second reference matrix data sets.The second set of provided second reference matrix data sets comprises a second reference matrix data set for at least some of the slave BMS units, and the respective second reference matrix data set comprises, for a fourth plurality of frequencies or a fourth plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined fourth frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between the respective slave BMS unit and the auxiliary master BMS unit of the reference battery.

[0036] Preferably, the predetermined third frequency band and the predetermined fourth frequency band coincide at least in sections. In an advantageous embodiment, the frequencies or frequency channels for which the signal transmission quality parameter values ​​of the second matrix data set and the second reference matrix data sets are determined are the same or at least largely the same.

[0037] In order to increase the reliability of the determination of the installation position, in at least one embodiment the frequencies or the frequency channels for which signal transmission quality parameter values ​​of the first matrix data set, the second matrix data set and the first reference matrix data sets and the second reference matrix data sets are determined are the same.

[0038] This makes it possible to determine a large number of matrix data sets and thus increase the reliability of position determination.

[0039] The second matrix data set is determined, for example, by the respective auxiliary master BMS unit and sent to the master BMS unit or to the higher-level processing unit.

[0040] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, the at least one second matrix data set is additionally fed to the trained neural network. The trained neural network has additionally undergone the learning process with the second reference matrix data sets as input, so that it is configured to additionally evaluate the installation position at which the one slave BMS unit is arranged based on a second matrix data set which comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between one of the slave BMS units and the auxiliary master BMS unit for a plurality of frequencies or a plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined frequency band and which is characteristic of an installation position of the one slave BMS unit.

[0041] In at least one embodiment according to the first and second aspects, one or at least some of the slave BMS units are designed to function as an auxiliary master BMS unit.

[0042] According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a battery comprising a master battery management system unit according to the second aspect and a plurality of battery modules, wherein the battery modules are connected in series and / or parallel. The battery modules each comprise a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel. The battery modules are each arranged in the battery at predetermined installation positions. The battery modules each have a slave BMS unit with a radio transceiver. The respective slave BMS unit is arranged on the respective battery module or on a section of a mounting frame of the battery that is adjacent to the respective battery module.

[0043] Advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects also apply to the third aspect.

[0044] According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a battery management unit, cause the battery management unit to carry out the method according to the first aspect.

[0045] For the purposes of this document, the term "computer program" refers to a program element or a computer program product containing instructions for controlling a computer system to coordinate the operation of a system or method in a suitable manner to achieve the effects associated with the method according to the invention. The computer program can be implemented as computer-readable instruction code in any suitable programming language, such as JAVA, C++, etc. The instruction code can program a computer or other programmable device to perform the desired functions.

[0046] According to a fifth aspect, the problem is solved by a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to the fourth aspect is stored.

[0047] The computer program can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, removable drive) or in a volatile or non-volatile memory, built-in memory / processor, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), etc. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store associated program instructions and associated data.

[0048] Furthermore, the computer program may be provided on a network such as the Internet, from which it can be downloaded by a user when required.

[0049] According to a sixth aspect, the object is achieved by a device having a radio transceiver and a processor as well as a memory, wherein the memory is designed to store data and program instructions called by the processor and the processor is configured to carry out the steps of the method according to the first aspect together with the radio transceiver.

[0050] Advantageous embodiments according to the first aspect also apply to the fourth to sixth aspects.

[0051] The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), another general-purpose processor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

[0052] The storage comprises a computer-readable storage medium as described above.

[0053] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the appended claims and the following description of embodiments with reference to the appended figures.

[0054] The description of the subject matter presented herein is not limited to the specific individual embodiments. Features of different embodiments may be combined with one another—where technically feasible—to form further embodiments. For example, variations or modifications described with respect to one embodiment may also be applicable to other embodiments, unless otherwise stated.

[0055] They show:

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery with a wireless battery management system,

[0057] Figure 2 shows an exemplary mechanical structure of a battery with battery housing and

[0058] Figure 3 exemplary frequency responses of slave BMS units and

[0059] Figure 4 shows an exemplary flow chart for a program for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery.

[0060] In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for elements with essentially the same function, but these elements do not have to be identical in all details.

[0061] Figure 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a battery 1, which comprises a wireless battery management system (BMS) and a battery unit 5, referred to in English as a battery pack. The battery 1 can comprise one or more such battery units 5. The battery 1 shown in Figure 1 has, by way of example, a battery unit 5. The battery 1 can be used for a variety of electrically operated devices, such as in particular for an electrically powered vehicle. The battery unit 5 comprises a plurality of battery modules 20 connected in series and / or in parallel. Each battery module 20 can comprise a plurality of battery cells that are electrically connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0062] The wireless BMS comprises a master BMS unit 10 and a plurality of slave BMS units 30. The master BMS unit 10 is configured, for example, to assign different identification information to the plurality of slave BMS units 30 through cooperation with a higher-level processing unit 40. The wireless BMS can comprise the higher-level processing unit 40, or the higher-level processing unit 40 can be assigned to the wireless BMS.

[0063] The master BMS unit 10 may include a memory, an antenna, a communication unit, and a control unit.

[0064] The memory of the master BMS unit 10 is particularly designed to permanently or temporarily store at least part of the data transmitted by the higher-level processing unit 40, for example via a wired communication mode, or the data transmitted wirelessly by the respective slave BMS units 30.

[0065] The memory may be physically separated from the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 or may be integrated on a chip with the control unit of the master BMS unit 10.

[0066] The antenna of the master BMS unit 10 and the communication unit of the master BMS unit 10 are functionally connected to each other. The communication unit includes a radio transceiver.

[0067] The communication unit of the master BMS unit 10 includes a circuit for demodulating a wireless signal received by the antenna of the master BMS unit 10. The communication unit of the master BMS unit 10 is configured to modulate a signal to be transmitted to one or more slave BMS units 30 and to wirelessly transmit the modulated signal via the antenna of the master BMS unit 10.

[0068] The control unit of the master BMS unit 10 comprises at least one processor and is connected to the memory and the communication unit of the master BMS unit 10. The control unit of the master BMS unit 10 is configured to control the overall operation of the master BMS unit 10. Furthermore, the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 is configured, for example, to determine a state of charge (SOC) and / or a state of health (SOH) of each of the battery modules 20 based on the detection information received from the slave BMS units 30. In addition, the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 can be configured to provide information for controlling the charging, discharging, and / or balancing of each of the battery modules 20 based on the calculated SOC and / or SOH and to initiate the wireless transmission to at least one of the plurality of slave BMS modules 30 via the antenna and the communication unit of the master BMS unit 10.

[0069] Each processor included in the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 may optionally include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), chipsets, logic circuitry, a register, a communication modem, and a data processing device known in the art for executing various control logic.

[0070] In the battery 1 shown in Figure 1, the battery unit 5 comprises, for simplification reasons, four battery modules 20, for example, and the wireless BMS comprises four slave BMS units 30. Preferably, the number of slave BMS units 30 corresponds to the number of battery modules 20 in the battery unit 5. The respective slave BMS unit 30 is coupled, in particular electrically connected, to one of the battery modules 20. For example, the first slave BMS module 30_1 is electrically coupled to the first battery module 20_1, the second slave BMS module 30_2 is electrically coupled to the second battery module 20_2, the third slave BMS module 30_3 is electrically coupled to the third battery module 20_3, and the fourth slave BMS module 30_4 is electrically coupled to the fourth battery module 20_4.

[0071] Each slave BMS unit 30 is configured to detect or monitor multiple operating variables, e.g., a voltage, a current, and a temperature of the battery module 20 to which the slave BMS unit 30 is electrically connected, and to execute a variety of control functions (e.g., charging, discharging, balancing) to adjust the operating variables of the battery module 20. For example, each control function can be executed directly by each slave BMS unit 30 based on the detected operating variables of the battery module 20 or according to a command from the master BMS unit 10.

[0072] Each slave BMS unit 30 includes a control unit, a memory, a communication unit, and an antenna. The memory may be physically separate from the control unit or may be integrated with the control unit on a single chip.

[0073] The communication unit comprises a radio transceiver and is configured to transmit data to or receive data from the master BMS unit 10 via the radio transceiver and the antenna. Optionally, the communication unit is configured to transmit data to and receive data from additional slave BMS units 30 via the radio transceiver and the antenna.

[0074] The communication unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 includes a circuit for demodulating a radio signal received by the antenna of the respective slave BMS unit 30. Furthermore, the communication unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 can modulate a signal to be transmitted to the master BMS unit 10 via the antenna of the respective slave BMS unit 30 and forward it to the antenna of the slave BMS unit 30 for transmission.

[0075] The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 comprises at least one processor and is operatively connected to the memory and communication unit of the slave BMS unit 30. The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 is configured to manage the overall operation of the slave BMS unit 30, including the control unit of the slave BMS unit 30.

[0076] The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 may include a detection unit configured to detect the state of the battery module 20. For example, the detection unit may include at least one voltage measuring circuit for detecting the voltage of the battery module 20, a current measuring circuit for detecting the current of the battery module 20, and a temperature detection circuit for detecting the temperature of the battery module 20.

[0077] The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 provides the communication unit of the slave BMS unit 30 with detection information indicating the state of the battery module 20 detected by the detection unit. Accordingly, the communication unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 can transmit a wireless signal representing the detection information to the master BMS unit 10 using the antenna of the slave BMS unit 30.

[0078] Advantageously, the radio technology of the BMS can be used not only for the exchange of data and control information but also for determining an installation position, in particular a physical installation position, of the respective battery modules 20.

[0079] For this purpose, the master BMS unit 10 is configured to establish a wireless connection, preferably a unicast connection, with a selected slave BMS unit 30_m using its transmitter unit of its radio transceiver. In Figure 1, the third slave BMS unit 30_3 is identified as the selected slave BMS unit 30_m, i.e., in this example, the installation position of the third battery module 20_3 is to be determined. The installation position of any other battery module 20 can be determined analogously.

[0080] The master BMS unit 10 is configured to determine a first matrix data set comprising one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and the master BMS unit 10 for a plurality of carrier frequency channels of a predetermined frequency band of the radio technology used. The master BMS unit 10 is configured, for example, to determine an RSSI value (RSSI, Received Signal Strength Indicator) for each of the carrier frequency channels and to store the respective RSSI associated with the carrier frequency channel for which the RSSI value was determined.

[0081] For example, when determining RSSI values, the signal level of the transmitted signal can be varied and multiple RSSI values ​​can be determined for a carrier frequency channel. Instead of RSSI values, other signal quality parameters can also be used, such as a signal-to-noise ratio.

[0082] Furthermore, the master BMS unit 10 is configured to determine an installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 based on the first matrix data set and a first set of provided first reference matrix data sets. The first set of provided reference matrix data sets comprises a first reference matrix data set for at least some of the slave BMS units 30, and the respective first reference matrix data set, analogous to the first matrix data set for the plurality of frequencies or the plurality of predetermined frequency channels of the predetermined frequency band, comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a respective slave BMS unit 30 and a master BMS unit 10 of a reference battery. The first reference matrix data sets are determined, for example, in a concept phase.In this case, the first reference matrix data sets are preferably determined for the same frequencies or frequency channels as the first matrix data set later.

[0083] To increase the reliability of determining the installation position, one or at least some of the slave BMS units 30 are configured, for example, to function as an auxiliary master BMS unit. The auxiliary master BMS units are configured, in particular, to determine a second matrix data set and transmit it to the master BMS unit 10. The second matrix data set comprises, for the specified carrier frequency channels, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for wireless signal transmission between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and the auxiliary master BMS unit.

[0084] The master BMS unit 10 is thus further configured to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 additionally as a function of the second matrix data set and a second set of provided second reference matrix data sets. The second set of provided second reference matrix data sets comprises a second reference matrix data set for at least some of the slave BMS units 30, and the respective second reference matrix data set comprises, for the plurality of frequencies or the plurality of predetermined frequency channels of the predetermined frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for wireless signal transmission between the respective slave BMS unit 30 and the auxiliary master BMS unit of the reference battery.

[0085] For example, to determine the installation position, the master BMS unit 10 includes a trained neural network. The trained neural network has undergone a learning process in which the first reference matrix data sets and, optionally, the second reference matrix data sets of the respective auxiliary master BMS units were fed to the neural network as input.The neural network is thus designed to evaluate, on the basis of a matrix data set which, for example, for the plurality of predetermined carrier frequency channels of the predetermined frequency band, comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between one of the slave BMS units 30 and the master BMS unit 10 and / or for a wireless signal transmission between the one slave BMS unit 30 and one of the auxiliary master BMS units and which is characteristic of an installation position of the one slave BMS unit 30, the installation position at which the one slave BMS unit 30 is arranged.

[0086] The battery 1 can have a plurality of auxiliary master BMS units, with respect to each of which a second matrix data set and a respective set of reference matrix data sets are determined. Thus, the plurality of second matrix data sets can be supplied to the neural network for determining the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m, and the neural network can be / have been trained with a plurality of second sets of second reference matrix data sets.

[0087] The respective second matrix data set is determined, for example, by the respective auxiliary master BMS unit and sent to the master BMS unit 10 or directly or indirectly via, for example, the master BMS unit 10 to the higher-level computing unit 40.

[0088] Alternatively, it is possible for the master BMS unit 10 to be configured to determine a similarity measure and / or a distance measure for the first matrix data set and / or second matrix data set in relation to the respective first reference matrix data set or the respective second reference matrix data set and to decide, on the basis of the determined similarity measures or the distance measures, which installation position is to be assigned to the first matrix data set or the second matrix data set.

[0089] A further alternative possibility is that the master BMS unit 10 is designed to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 with the aid of a pattern correlation algorithm.

[0090] In an alternative embodiment, the master BMS unit 10 is configured to send the first matrix data set and optionally the at least one second matrix data set in conjunction with an instruction to a higher-level processing unit 40, causing the higher-level processing unit 40 to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1. The determination of the installation position in the higher-level processing unit 40 can be carried out analogously to the above-described determination of the installation position by the master BMS unit 10.

[0091] In order to enhance a characteristic of the first matrix data set and / or the at least one second matrix data set, some of the battery modules 20 may have a coating and / or absorption material may be arranged in the battery 1, so that the reflection properties change.

[0092] To solve problems of left / right symmetry, an asymmetric installation position of the master BMS unit 10 and / or the auxiliary or double master concept can be used.

[0093] Figure 2 shows a mechanical structure of a battery 1 with its battery housing. The battery 1 is, for example, a high-voltage battery for an electrically powered vehicle. The battery 1 has a battery housing with an installation frame 50, a battery housing cover 60, and a battery housing base 70. Furthermore, the battery 1 has the battery modules 20 accommodated by the installation frame 50. The battery housing base 70, which is connected to the installation frame 50, completely accommodates the battery modules 20 in this example. The battery housing is closed with the battery housing cover 60. Figure 2 shows, by way of example, eight battery modules 20 accommodated by the installation frame 50.

[0094] The slave BMS units 30 (not shown in Figure 2) of the battery modules 20 are preferably arranged on the respective battery modules 20. These battery modules 20 are preferably identical in design. The master BMS unit 10 is preferably also arranged in the battery housing. The battery housing comprises or is made of a metal.

[0095] With such a symmetrical arrangement, different battery modules 20 can have equal distances from the master BMS unit 10, depending on the position of the master BMS unit 10. To avoid problems of left / right symmetry, an asymmetrical installation position of the master BMS unit 10 and / or the auxiliary or double master concept can be used.

[0096] Figure 3 shows four exemplary frequency responses H1(f) to H8(f) of eight slave BMS units 30 at selected installation positions relative to the master BMS unit 10. The frequency responses exhibit different curves depending on the respective installation position. The frequency responses are thus characteristic of the respective installation position.

[0097] Figure 4 shows an exemplary flow chart for a program for determining an installation position of a battery module 20 in a battery 1, in which only the connection between a selected slave BMS unit 30_m and a master BMS unit 10 is taken into account.

[0098] The program can be executed by a processor, in particular a microprocessor or microcontroller of the master BMS unit 10. For this purpose, the processor has, for example, a program memory in which the program is stored. Alternatively, the memory can be assigned to the processor.

[0099] The program is started in step S01. The program is started, for example, due to an automatic or manual program call, for example, during production after assembly of the battery 1, in order to assign a specific address, such as a MAC address or another identifier, of the respective battery module 20 to an installation position.

[0100] In a step S03, a connection setup with a selected slave BMS unit 30_m is initiated, so that a wireless connection is established with the selected slave BMS unit 30_m. In a step S05, a first matrix data set is determined. The first matrix data set comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and the master BMS unit 10 for a plurality of frequencies or a plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined frequency band.

[0101] In a step S07, the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 is determined depending on the first matrix data set and a first set of provided first reference matrix data sets. The first set of provided reference matrix data sets comprises a first reference matrix data set for at least some of the slave BMS units 30, and the respective first reference matrix data set, for example, analogous to the first matrix data set, has one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a respective slave BMS unit 30 and a master BMS unit 10 of a reference battery for the plurality of frequencies or the plurality of predetermined frequency channels of the predetermined frequency band.

[0102] The signal transmission quality parameter values ​​of the first matrix data set and the first reference matrix data sets each comprise, for example, a received field strength indicator value, RSSI value.

[0103] The determination of the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m depending on the first matrix data set and the first set of provided first reference matrix data sets is carried out, for example, by feeding the first matrix data set to a trained neural network, wherein the trained neural network has undergone a learning process in which the first reference matrix data sets were fed to the neural network as input.

[0104] The program is terminated in step S09. The program can be executed repeatedly to determine the installation position of another selected slave BMS unit 30_m.

[0105] The use of a neural network to determine the installation position has the advantage that the first set of first reference data sets does not need to be stored in the master BMS unit 10. This is particularly advantageous if second matrix data sets for one or more auxiliary master BMS units are also used to determine the installation position. It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject matter. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with method claims, and other embodiments of the invention are described with device claims.However, it will immediately become clear to the person skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter of the invention, any combination of features belonging to different types of subject matter of the invention is also possible.

[0106] List of reference symbols

[0107] 1 battery

[0108] 5 Battery unit 10 Master BMS unit

[0109] 20 battery module

[0110] 30 Slave BMS unit

[0111] 40 higher-level processing unit

[0112] 50 mounting frame 60 housing cover

[0113] 70 Case back

[0114] S01... S09 program steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for determining an installation position of a battery module (20) in a battery (1), wherein - the battery (1) comprises a plurality of battery modules (20) connected in series and / or parallel, and a battery management system, BMS, wherein the BMS comprises a master BMS unit (10) and a slave BMS unit (30) for each battery module (20), - the master BMS unit (10) and the slave BMS units (30) each have a radio transceiver, - the battery modules (20) each have a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel, - the battery modules (20) in the battery (1) are each arranged at predetermined installation positions, - the slave BMS units (30) are each arranged on one of the battery modules (20) or on a section of a mounting frame (50) of the battery (1) which is adjacent to the respective battery module (20), and the method comprises the following steps, - Determining a first matrix data set comprising, for a first plurality of frequencies or for a first plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined first frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a selected slave BMS unit (30_m) and the master BMS unit (10), - Determining an installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) depending on the first matrix data set and a first set of provided first reference matrix data sets, wherein the first set of provided reference matrix data sets for at least some of the slave BMS units (30) each has a first reference matrix data set, and the respective first reference matrix data set for a second plurality of frequencies or a second plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined second frequency band comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a respective slave BMS unit (30) and a master BMS unit (10) of a reference battery, or - Sending the first matrix data set in conjunction with an instruction to a higher-level processing unit (40), whereby the higher-level processing unit (40) determines the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) is determined as a function of the first matrix data set and a first set of provided first reference matrix data sets, wherein the first set of provided reference matrix data sets for at least some of the slave BMS units (30) each has a first reference matrix data set and the respective first reference matrix data set for a second plurality of frequencies or a second plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined second frequency band comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between a respective slave BMS unit (30) and a master BMS unit (10) of a reference battery.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) as a function of the first matrix data set and the first set of provided first reference matrix data sets comprises respectively determining a similarity measure and / or a distance measure for the first matrix data set with respect to the respective first reference matrix data set.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) is determined using a pattern correlation algorithm.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) is determined as a function of the first matrix data set and the first set of provided first reference matrix data sets, in that the first matrix data set is fed to a trained neural network, wherein the trained neural network has undergone a learning process in which the first reference matrix data sets were fed to the neural network as input in order to evaluate one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between one of the slave BMS units (30_m) and the master BMS unit (10) on the basis of a matrix data set which comprises, for a plurality of frequencies or a plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between one of the slave BMS units (30_m) and the master BMS unit (10) and which is characteristic of an installation position of the one slave BMS unit (30),at which installation position the one slave BMS unit (30) is arranged., 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal transmission quality parameter values ​​determined for a respective frequency or a respective frequency channel differ in that they are calculated for signals transmitted with different transmission powers.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frequency or frequencies determined for a respective frequency channel Signal transmission quality parameter values ​​each include a received field strength indicator value, RSSI value.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the RSSI values ​​determined for a respective frequency channel differ in that, when calculating the RSSI values, the RSSI values ​​for the respective frequency channel are each determined for a plurality of points in time and the RSSI value used is an average of the RSSI values ​​determined at the different points in time.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a part of the battery modules (20) have a coating which causes a changed reflection of the signals, and / or absorption material is arranged in the battery (1) at predetermined positions.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a second matrix data set is provided which comprises, for a third plurality of frequencies or a third plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined third frequency band, one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between the selected slave BMS unit 30) and an auxiliary master BMS unit, and - the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) is additionally determined depending on the second matrix data set and a second set of provided second reference matrix data sets, wherein the second set of provided second reference matrix data sets for at least some of the slave BMS units (30) each has a second reference matrix data set and the respective second reference matrix data set for a fourth plurality of frequencies or a fourth plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined fourth frequency band has one or more signal transmission quality parameter values for wireless signal transmission between the respective slave BMS unit (30) and the auxiliary master BMS unit of the reference battery.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second matrix data set is additionally fed to the trained neural network, wherein the trained neural network has additionally undergone the learning process with the second reference matrix data sets as input, in order to additionally assess, on the basis of a matrix data set which comprises one or more signal transmission quality parameter values ​​for a wireless signal transmission between one of the slave BMS units (30) and the auxiliary master BMS unit for a plurality of frequencies or a plurality of predetermined frequency channels of a predetermined frequency band and which is characteristic of an installation position of the one slave BMS unit (30), at which installation position the one slave BMS unit (30) is arranged.

11. Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein one or at least some of the slave BMS units (30) are designed to function as an auxiliary master BMS unit.

12. Master battery management system unit, master BMS unit (10), for determining an installation position of a battery module (20) in a battery (1), wherein - the battery (1) comprises a plurality of battery modules (20) connected in series and / or parallel, - the battery modules (20) each have a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel, and - the battery modules (20) are each arranged in the battery (1) at predetermined installation positions, - each battery module (20) is assigned a slave BMS unit (30) of a battery management system of the battery (1), which is arranged on the respective battery module (20) or on a section of an installation frame of the battery (1) that adjoins the respective battery module (20), - the respective slave BMS unit (30) has a radio transceiver, and - the master BMS unit (10) comprises a radio transceiver and is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Battery (1 ) having - a plurality of battery modules (20) connected in series and / or parallel, wherein the battery modules (20) each have a plurality of battery cells arranged in connected in series and / or in parallel, and the battery modules (20) are each arranged in the battery (1) at predetermined installation positions, - a battery management system, BMS, which has a master BMS unit (10) according to claim 12 and a slave BMS unit (30) for each battery module (20), wherein the respective slave BMS unit (30) is arranged on the respective battery module (20) or on a section of an installation frame of the battery (1) that adjoins the respective battery module (20) and has a radio transceiver.

14. Computer program comprising instructions which, when issued by a Microprocessor or microcontroller of a battery management unit, cause the battery management unit to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11.

15. Computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to Claim 14 is stored.

Images